J. #. BOWLES. 141 
one drilled by the bird herself) still in my collection and 
prize them far more than my complete set of nine. I have 
noticed this habit in the Bob White (Colinus virginianus) ; 
although, I admit, the evidence is purely circumstantial. In 
a large percentage of nests containing eggs of the Yellow- 
billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), if the nest is once 
examined, the eggs will be gone when looked for the second 
time. 
The special instinct of self-preservation is also very strong 
in many birds. The well known habit of the Crow (Corvus 
americanus) of never, according to the farmers, coming within 
range when a gun is at hand, is probably the most generally 
known. It is, however, certainly not.the most entertaining, 
as few things have so much fascination for me as watching 
a Black Duck (Ames obscura) approach a “ blind ” of which 
it is suspicious. Always watchful and on the alert for the 
slightest danger, it will frequently, if swimming, rise from 
the water and, flying high over one’s head, peer down and 
discover its danger. 
Another instance occurred to me the other day while 
shooting Woodcock (Phdlohelu minor). My dog accidentally 
flushed the bird while ranging inthe bushes. Upon hearing 
its rising twitter, I stood motionless and was both surprised 
and pleased to see it alight within 15 feet of me. It walked 
a short distance parallel to me and then, suddenly catching 
sight of me, squatted on the ground, at the same time spread- 
ing its tail and curling it over its back in the manner of a 
Wren. If I had come upon it suddenly without seeing the 
performance I should have thought it a curled up dead leaf, 
for a more perfect resemblance I have never seen. 
The Jay family seems to be a shrewd one throughout, for 
the Long-crested Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri macrolopha), of the 
more mountainous parts of Colorado, rivals the Crow in his 
dislike for gun-bearing persons, and, at the same time, pos- 
sesses more boldness and cunning. A Jay will come and 
feed from a dish set out for the cat; and when puss comes 
